More than 50 dead in Kogi state boat tragedy as search continues

In Nigeria, a tragic incident unfolded on the early hours of Friday as a boat carrying over 200 passengers capsized in the River Niger. The vessel was traveling from Kogi state to a weekly market in neighboring Niger state, reportedly filled with market traders and farm laborers. Authorities confirmed that at least 54 bodies have been recovered from the waters, while divers continue to search for many others who remain missing. Among those on board, 24 individuals were rescued, but some are still receiving treatment in local hospitals. The cause of the accident has yet to be officially determined, though preliminary indications suggest that many passengers might not have been wearing life jackets, in violation of safety requirements. The recovery efforts have faced challenges, particularly in obtaining accurate information about those aboard the boat, as there was no passenger manifest maintained. Justin Uche, the head of Kogi state's National Emergency Management Agency office, highlighted the difficulties in tracking down the total number of passengers and confirming the identities of survivors and the deceased. This incident is the most recent in a disturbing trend of boat accidents in the region, with this being the third such occurrence in Nigeria within the past two months. Just last month, a similar tragedy involved a wooden dugout canoe that capsized with nearly 300 passengers on board, resulting in close to 200 fatalities. Additionally, a collision between two boats in Delta state led to five deaths just the week prior. These incidents underscore a chronic issue surrounding safety regulations on Nigeria's inland waterways, where enforcement is often lax and accountability is limited. In response to this latest tragedy, Kogi state’s Governor Usman Ododo has emphasized the need for more stringent enforcement of safety protocols. He has ordered hospitals treating the survivors to provide them with adequate care and necessary food, highlighting the urgent need for improved safety measures to prevent such calamities from recurring. Amid the ongoing recovery efforts, hopes for finding additional survivors are diminishing, reflecting the grim reality faced by families and communities affected by this tragic loss of life.